The Effect of Virtual Social Networks on Trust in Interpersonal Relationships and Academic Procrastination

 With the advent of social networks, their use has become an integral part of the lives of many students and is in some way intertwined to their personal life. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of virtual social networks on trust in interpersonal relationships and academic procrastination of students.

 This quasi-experimental study with pre-test and post-test design conducted at Behbahan paramedical faculty in 1997-98. The sample consisted of 167 Operating Room Students who were randomly divided into two experimental and control groups, 81 and 82, respectively. Data were collected using the Solomon & Rothbloo Academic Delay Questionnaire, Interpersonal Reliability Questionnaire, and Virtual Social Networking Questionnaire.

 After controlling for the pre-test effects of academic procrastination with p<0.01, F=91/71, there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups and considering the effect of using virtual networks 36% of the variance predicted academic procrastination. Also, there was a significant difference between the control and experimental groups regarding the trust variable in interpersonal relationships after controlling for pre-test effects, F=80/13, p<0.01. The variance predicted interpersonal trust.

 The results showed that using virtual social networks in teaching and training has been useful in reducing academic procrastination and it also improves their interpersonal trust. Therefore, it is recommended to tap into virtual social networks in education